Drug rehab centre reaches maximum capacity
KUCHING: The Kuching Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centre ( CCRC) has reached its maximum capacity, hampering the National Anti-Drug Agency’s (AADK) efforts to eradicate drug abuse in the state.
AADK state director Wan Madihi Wan Salleh said the CCRC at Mile 6 can only accommodate 150 individuals for rehabilitation, which can take up to two years.
“This is why those who were arrested for drug abuse will be documented and released. They will however be under the close monitoring of AADK,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Wan Madihi explained that when a vacant slot is available, the offender would then be placed at the CCRC.
“While waiting for a vacant slot at the CCRC, those under the close monitoring of AADK personnel will still need to come over to the AADK office every two weeks to sign in,” he added.
He pointed out that this was the main reason that those arrested for drug abuse in the morning could be seen as ‘ free’ by the end of the day, although they were in fact still being monitored.
Wan Madihi said AADK will open a new CCRC at Penrissen, which can accommodate around 270 individuals, next year.
The new CCRC, which is currently at 55 per cent completion, will include a facility to accommodate those who voluntarily surrender themselves for rehabilitation and minors, he said.
On a recent case of drugs suspected to be methamphetamine being sold openly in Petra Jaya, Wan Madihi said AADK and the police has been checking the area daily.
“We will ensure that the area is free from drugs,” he said, adding that AADK would also intensify operations in other hotspot areas statewide.
A total of 42 individuals were netted by AADK in Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei and Bintulu under Ops Perdana on Thursday night.
Kuching recorded the highest number of arrests with 24, followed by Bintulu (10), Sri Aman (four), Sarikei (two), Kota Samarahan (one), and Betong (one).
“Thirty-nine tested positive for methamphetamine, while two in Bintulu tested positive for cannabis, and one in Betong for ketamine,” said Wan Madihi.
Out of the 42 arrested, 41 were aged between 21 and 30.
No drugs were seized from those arrested.